Director of Engineering

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Trueline’s client, a leader in creating immersive branded environments, is seeking a Director of Engineering (PE) to join their team in Franklin Park, IL. This role leads engineering and technical design for live events, retail, corporate interiors, and custom installations, ensuring structural integrity, innovation, and client satisfaction.

What You'll Do as the Director of Engineering (PE):

• Lead and mentor a team of ~8 technical designers, sales engineers, and product
• Oversee structural design, analysis, and stamping of custom-built elements—signage, LED, suspended installations, event structures—and ensure compliance with ANSI standards and manufacturer specs.
• Perform wind load, uplift, dynamic forces, and stability calculations for indoor/outdoor venues like arenas, theaters, and trade shows.
• Own departmental processes: scheduling, performance metrics, quality control, and continuous improvement using new software and AI tools.
• Collaborate daily with Sales, Creative, and Project Management teams—attending meetings, client visits, and occasionally traveling to installations.
• Manage staffing logistics—schedules, overtime approvals, labor tracking—and implement corrective measures for client feedback.
• Maintain and enhance training and documentation programs for engineering functions.

Must-Haves as the Director of Engineering (PE):

• Licensed Professional Engineer (or able to quickly obtain IL reciprocity).
• 5+ years in structural engineering, especially in event/live experience sectors (signage, installations, temporary structures).
• Experience supervising technical teams (8+ employees for 3+ years) and solving multi-level issues.
• Proficient with Revit, Rhino, SolidWorks, structural design software; strong background in wind load and dynamic analysis.
• Comfortable working with aluminum, steel, trusses, tensioned fabric, modular systems.
• Familiar with entertainment industry safety and rigging standards.

Nice-to-Haves as the Director of Engineering (PE):

• Background in low-volume, high-variability fabrication environments.
• Hands-on experience with artistic/sculptural event installations.
• Enthusiasm for process automation and AI-driven design tools.

Our Client Offers:

• Leadership role in a dynamic, innovation-focused company.
• Opportunity to shape engineering processes and drive technical excellence.
• Collaborative culture with cross-functional project exposure.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and growth opportunities.

Trueline and its clients are unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Events Services and Entertainment Providers

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